New Delhi: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to Mauritius on Tuesday for high-level talks to strengthen strategic ties.
His visit comes just days after former US President Donald Trump signaled support for a deal between Mauritius and Britain concerning the future of the US-British military base on the Chagos Archipelago.
Modi will be the chief guest at Mauritius’ National Day celebrations and is set to meet Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam, who returned to office for a third term in 2024.
The discussions are expected to cover regional security, economic collaboration, and the evolving geopolitical landscape in the Indian Ocean.
Last month, Trump announced his backing for a potential agreement between Mauritius and Britain regarding the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, a long-disputed territory in the Indian Ocean. The largest island, Diego Garcia, has housed a joint British-US military base since the 1970s.
Indian officials view the resolution of the Chagos sovereignty issue as a positive development, given New Delhi’s historical support for Mauritius’ claims over the islands. At the same time, India values America’s military presence in the Indian Ocean as a counterbalance to China’s growing regional influence.
“During Modi’s visit, there will be an opportunity for Mauritius to update us on any outstanding issues. We continue to support Mauritius in its efforts to reach a mutually satisfactory and beneficial agreement,” India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said.
